Massachusetts Bans Vaping Sales Amid Public Health Emergency

BOSTON — Gov. Charlie Baker called for a four-month ban on a sale of all vape products in Massachusetts at a press conference Tuesday. He declared vaping a "public health emergency" and said he will request the ban to the state's Public Health Council.

The ban takes effect immediately, lasts through January 25, 2o2o and applies to both flavored and non-flavored products.

"The use of e-cigarettes and marijuana vaping products is exploding and we are seeing reports of serious lung illnesses, particularly in our young people," Baker said. "The purpose of this public health emergency is to temporarily pause all sales of vaping products so that we can work with our medical experts to identify what is making people sick and how to better regulate these products to protect the health of our residents."

The ban comes after dozens of cases of respiratory disease associated with vaping were reported to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The latest death was reported in Kansas, according to CNN, which reported nine vaping-related deaths in the U.S. this year.

Other states have also seen illnesses linked to vaping. The Ohio Department of Health said they are investigating after six vape users experienced severe pulmonary illness. In Illinois, nine teens and young adults were hospitalized with breathing problems linked to the use of electronic cigarettes.